1 / 100 Snow Leopard China is a network of research institutions, non-government organizations, and nature reserves dedicated to sharing and promoting snow leopard research and conservation in China through various means, such as reporting and website presentation, online and land-based communication, technical support, training, and forum-based exchange. This report is jointly prepared by the members of Snow Leopard China with respect to snow leopards in China. Contributors hereto are listed as follows (in no particular order): Guangzhou Yuanwang Wildlife Conservation Services; WWF; Wild Xinjiang; Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance (CFCA); Qinghai Yuan Shang Cao Conservation Center; Sichuan Green River Environmental Protection Initiative; Beijing Qiaonyu Foundation; Sanjiangyuan (Three-River-Source) National Park Administration; Wolong National Nature Reserve; Gongga Mountain National Nature Reserve; the government of Sojia Town, Zhidoi County (Tongtian Snow Leopard Group); Peking University Center for Nature and Society; Peking University Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Research Group; Chinese Academy of Sciences Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology; Chinese Academy of Forestry Institute of Forest Ecology and Conservation; Beijing Forestry University Wildlife Institute; Eco- Bridge Continental; Shanshui Conservation Center (SCC). Snow Leopard China. All rights reserved. Web: http://www.snowleopardchina.org/ This publication may be referenced and used for education, conservation, and other non-commercial purposes, without a copyright license, provided that the source of such reference and usage is explicitly stated. No part of this publication may be republished or printed for commercial use without consent by its copyright owner. Cover design: a snow leopard in Namse Town of Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai, courtesy of French photographer Frédéric Larrey. 2 / 100 CONTENTS CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER I Background ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.1 Evolution ........................................................................................................................................................................ 11 1.1.2 Habitat and Distribution............................................................................................................................................... 13 1.1.3 Life Cycle ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15 1.1.4 Prey ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 1.2 Global Snow Leopard Population Sizes and Dynamics .................................................................................................. 18 1.2.1 Global Population Estimates ....................................................................................................................................... 18 1.2.2 Population Dynamics .................................................................................................................................................... 18 1.3 Snow Leopard Conservation in China .................................................................................................................................. 19 1.4 Reporting Purpose and Content ............................................................................................................................................ 20 References ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER II Literature Review: Published Snow Leopard Research in 1980-2018, China ........................................ 24 2.1 Background ................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 2.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 2.3 Results ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 26 2.3.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................ 26 2.3.2 Distribution / Abundance / Density ......................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.3 Protected Areas .............................................................................................................................................................. 28 2.3.4 Wild Prey Species ........................................................................................................................................................... 28 2.3.5 Human Activities ............................................................................................................................................................. 29 2.3.6 Policies ............................................................................................................................................................................... 30 2.4 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 References ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 35 CHAPTER III Distribution and Abundance: Survey Results and Gap Analyses .................................................................. 38 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................. 40 3.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................................ 40 3.3 Results ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 41 3.3.1 Gansu.................................................................................................................................................................................. 41 3.3.2 Qinghai .............................................................................................................................................................................. 43 3.3.3 Sichuan............................................................................................................................................................................... 47 3.3.4 Tibet A.R. ........................................................................................................................................................................... 48 3 / 100 3.3.5 Xinjiang A.R. ..................................................................................................................................................................... 50 3.3.6 Inner Mongolia A.R. ....................................................................................................................................................... 53 3.3.7 Yunnan ............................................................................................................................................................................... 53 3.4 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 References ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 55 CHAPTER IV Threats and Strategies: Conservation Status and Gaps................................................................................... 57 4. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................. 59 4. 2 Methodology